In the race to build a connected, inclusive, and innovative Africa, few leaders are as pivotal as Lacina Koné, the Director General and CEO of Smart Africa. Since taking the helm in March 2019, Koné has championed Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as the backbone of Africa’s digital transformation, aiming to create a unified digital market by 2030. His vision? A continent where connectivity is not a luxury but a fundamental right, and where DPI—encompassing digital identity, payment systems, and data infrastructure—unlocks economic and social opportunities for all Africans.
A Veteran of ICT with a Pan-African Mission
With over 25 years of experience in telecommunications, satellite systems, and intelligent transportation, Koné brings a wealth of expertise to Smart Africa. Before leading the alliance, he advised Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister and President on digital reforms, shaping policies that modernized public services. His global career, spanning roles at Intelsat and Booz Allen Hamilton in the United States, equipped him with the technical and strategic acumen to tackle Africa’s complex digital challenges. Educated across three continents—holding degrees in electronic engineering, data communications, and an MBA—Koné’s diverse background informs his holistic approach to DPI.
Smart Africa, a coalition of 39 member states, international organizations, and private sector partners, is Koné’s platform to drive this agenda. Launched in 2013, the alliance seeks to accelerate socio-economic development through affordable broadband and ICT adoption. Under Koné’s leadership, it has grown into a powerful force, developing continental blueprints for digital identity, ICT startups, smart villages, and the Smart Broadband 2025 Strategy.
DPI: The Foundation of Africa’s Digital Leap
Koné sees DPI as the cornerstone of Africa’s digital economy, distinguishing it from digital public goods like e-government services. “Digital public infrastructure—such as digital ID, payment systems, and data centers—must be integrated to create a seamless ecosystem,” he emphasized in an interview with African Business. He points to India’s Aadhaar system as a model, noting that a robust digital ID is just one piece of a larger puzzle that includes private investment and policy harmonization.
Africa faces unique challenges in building DPI. Only 43% of its 1.4 billion people are connected, with 30% living in areas with unused infrastructure due to affordability barriers. Koné’s strategy focuses on making internet access and smart devices affordable, alongside boosting local content and cyber hygiene. His ambitious goal is to raise internet penetration to 75% by 2025, with initiatives like the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) piloting interoperable digital ID systems between countries like Rwanda and Benin. These systems enable seamless cross-border services, a critical step toward a single digital market.
AI and Digital Identity: Catalysts for Inclusion
Koné is particularly bullish on artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative force for DPI. He believes AI can enhance social inclusion by enabling Africans to interact with services in their native languages. To harness this potential, Smart Africa is establishing the Africa AI Council, a task force under ICT ministers to address computing power, data governance, and algorithm development. “AI will benefit Africa more than any other continent,” Koné told African Business, highlighting its potential to bridge linguistic and accessibility gaps.
Digital identity is another cornerstone of Koné’s DPI vision. With over 450 million Africans lacking formal ID, interoperable systems are essential for financial inclusion and cross-border trade. The Smart Africa Trust Alliance’s pilots demonstrate how countries can share digital infrastructure, reducing costs and fostering trust. Koné’s work draws inspiration from Rwanda’s digital transformation, where e-citizen programs have streamlined government services, generating valuable data for planning and policymaking.
Overcoming Challenges with Bold Strategies
Africa’s digital transformation is not without hurdles. Fragmented policies, outdated mindsets, and uneven access threaten progress. Koné identifies mindset change as the biggest opportunity, urging Africans to “decide who they want to be” in the global tech landscape. He advocates for innovative funding models to scale broadband infrastructure, particularly in landlocked countries, which he reframes as “land-linked” to emphasize their potential when digitally connected.
Affordability remains a critical barrier. Koné’s Smart Broadband 2025 Strategy aims to reduce connectivity costs by up to 50% and eliminate roaming charges across Africa. Partnerships with private sector giants like Intel and MTN bolster these efforts, enhancing digital skills and infrastructure. Koné also emphasizes data protection, citing the EU’s GDPR as a reference while supporting initiatives like the Masakhane project to advance natural language processing for African languages.
A Digital ‘Wakanda’ by 2030
Koné’s vision is bold yet grounded: a digital “Wakanda” where Africans can access services from their phones, pay via mobile money, and thrive in a knowledge economy. He compares Africa’s potential to Dubai’s transformation two decades ago, predicting that by 2030, abundant infrastructure and harmonized policies will make this a reality. Rural connectivity is a priority, with 60% of Africans living in rural areas targeted by Smart Africa’s smart villages initiative.
His leadership has earned accolades, including ranking 12th among 50 personalities advancing Africa’s digital transformation in 2021 and third among Africa’s digital trendsetters in 2022. Koné’s recent engagements, such as leading the Smart Africa Internet Governance Working Group at ICANN83 in Prague, underscore his commitment to a sovereign digital future.
The Road Ahead
Lacina Koné’s work with Smart Africa is redefining Africa’s digital landscape. By prioritizing DPI—through digital identity, AI, and broadband strategies—he is laying the foundation for a connected continent. His call to action is clear: Africa must control its digital narrative, leveraging its 1.7 billion-strong market and youthful innovators to compete globally. As Smart Africa prepares for the 2025 Transform Africa Summit in Kigali, themed “Innovate locally, impact globally,” Koné’s leadership will continue to shape a future where technology empowers every African.
